David describes the corruption of a natural man, 1-3. He convinces the wicked by the light of their own conscience, 4, 5. He glories in the salvation of God, 6.
1 [To the Chief Musician upon Mahalath. Maschil. A Psalm of David.]
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."/
They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity./
There is no one who does good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men/
to see if there were any who understood,/
who sought God.
3 Every one of them has gone back./
They have altogether become filthy./
There is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge,/
who eat up my people as they eat bread/
and have not called upon God?
5 There they were in great fear,/
where no fear was,/
for God has scattered the bones/
of him who encamps against you./
You have put them to shame/
because God has despised them.
6 O that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!/
When God brings back the captivity of his people,/
Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 53[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
This psalm being almost identical with the fourteenth, it has not been considered necessary to subjoin any distinct commentary.
[v.1a] - Quoted in Romans 3:10. See also, Psalm 14:1.
[v.1b] - Reference, Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:19, 23; Galatians 3:22.
[v.2] - Quoted in Romans 3:11.
[v.3a] - Quoted in Romans 3:12.
[v.3b] -Reference, Ecclesiastes 7:20.